Device for feeding propellant charges to a heavy weapon

ABSTRACT

A device for feeding propellant charges to a heavy weapon, comprising a fixed propellant charge magazine having guides for receiving propellant charge modules such that their longitudinal axes extend horizontally. The guides are disposed parallel to one another and in horizontal planes above one another. A propellant charge feed mechanism for removing propellant charges from the magazine and transferring them to a propellant charge transfer arm includes an automatic feed mechanism disposed adjacent to the magazine and having a propellant charge chain driven in a vertical plane and provided with receiving elements for propellant charge modules. A portioning unit is disposed at the removal position at the upper end of the chain and axially relative to a respectively uppermost receiving element. The portioning unit has a mechanism for transferring and joining propellant charge modules. A mechanism is provided for transferring joined modules from the portioning unit to a propellant charge feed tray.

This specification for the instant application should be granted thepriority date of May 26, 2004, the filing date of the correspondingGerman patent application 10 2004 025 742.6 as well as the priority dateof May 14, 2005, the filing date of the corresponding Internationalpatent application PCT/DE2005/000888.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device for feeding propellant chargesto a heavy weapon, and includes at least one propellant charge magazineand a propellant charge feed mechanism for removing propellant chargesfrom the propellant charge magazine and transferring them to apropellant charge transfer arm that is provided with a propellant chargefeed tray that is pivotable into the region behind the weapon and has apropellant charge rammer. A device of this type is basically known andis described, for example, in DE 102 58 263.7 A1.

The object of the invention is to provide a device having theaforementioned features, which has a construction that is as compact aspossible so that the often limited interior within a tank turret or theturret housing of a firing unit is obstructed as little as possible andyet the fully automatic supply of propellant charges from the propellantcharge magazine to the weapon is ensured. The device should furthermorehave such a construction that the possibility is provided of arrangingthe propellant charge magazine, and at least parts of the propellantcharge feed mechanism, within an auxiliary housing that is removably orpivotably disposed on the outer wall of a turret housing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A basic concept of the invention is that one or more propellant chargemagazines are embodied as fixed magazines in which the propellantcharges are disposed in guides with horizontally oriented longitudinalaxes, whereby a plurality of propellant charge modules are disposedaxially successively in each guide. The guides are respectively disposedparallel to one another and in horizontal planes above one another.Disposed directly next to the propellant charge magazine, or alsobetween two propellant charge magazines, is an automatic propellantcharge feed magazine that includes a propellant charge chain thatcirculates in a vertical plane and on which are disposed receivingelements, whereby the arrangement of the guides of the propellant chargemagazine and of the receiving elements of the automatic propellantcharge feed mechanism is such that the receiving elements can be broughtinto a position in which they are aligned with the guides, so that thepropellant charge modules can be transferred out of the guides of thepropellant charge magazine into the receiving elements of the propellantcharge chain. Provided axially relative to the respectively uppermostreceiving element of the automatic propellant charge feed mechanism is aportioning unit having means for the transfer and joining of aprescribed number of propellant charge modules from the receivingelement into the portioning unit. The joined propellant charge modulesare then supplied from the portioning unit to the propellant charge feedtray at the propellant charge transfer arm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following, an embodiment for a device for feeding propellantcharges through a heavy weapon pursuant to the invention are explainedin greater detail with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric illustration of a propellant charge magazinehaving a propellant charge feed mechanism that is comprised of anautomatic propellant charge mechanism and a portioning unit;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2A is a detailed isometric illustration of a receiving tube of thepropellant charge magazine, and of a receiving element of the automaticpropellant charge mechanism of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 3A is a detailed isometric illustration of the automatic propellantcharge mechanism of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIGS. 3B & 3C are detailed illustrations of receiving elements of theautomatic propellant charge mechanism of FIG. 3A;

FIGS. 4A & 4B are isometric illustrations of the upper region of theautomatic propellant charge mechanism with parts of the portioning unitin different states of loading;

FIG. 5 is an isometric illustration of the upper region of the automaticpropellant charge mechanism having the entire portioning unit in thefilled state;

FIG. 6 is an isometric illustration of a firing unit having an auxiliaryhousing, which is pivotable from the turret housing, for receiving adevice for feeding propellant charges to a heavy weapon.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1 to 5 show one embodiment for a device having a propellant chargemagazine and a portion of the propellant charge feed mechanismcomprising an automatic propellant charge feed mechanism and aportioning unit. The propellant charge magazine 2 is embodied as afixedly disposed magazine in which propellant charge modules TM aredisposed in guides 2.1 in such a way that their longitudinal axes extendhorizontally.

In the illustrated embodiment, the guides 2.1 are embodied as receivingtubes that, to facilitate illustration, are shown with their outersurface partially broken away. However, other guides, for example guiderails, could also be utilized at this location. As can be seen in FIGS.1 and 2, a prescribed number of guides 2.1 are respectively disposedparallel to one another and above one another in horizontal planes.Disposed at one end face of the thus formed propellant charge magazine 2is an automatic propellant charge feed mechanism 3 having a propellantcharge chain 3.1 that circulates in a vertical plane and is driven by amotor 3.11; the propellant charge chain has receiving elements 3.2 torespectively receive one or two propellant charge modules TM, dependingupon the axial length. The transfer of propellant charge modules TM, outof the receiving tubes 2.1 and into the receiving element 3.2 of theautomatic propellant charge mechanism 3 can, if the receiving elementsare aligned with the receiving tubes, be effected by the supply ofpositive air pressure via lines 2.2. During loading, negative airpressure can be supplied via these lines for feeding the propellantcharge modules into the receiving tubes 2.1.

If the guides of the propellant charge magazine are embodied as openreceiving trays or receiving rails, the supply and withdrawal ofpropellant charge modules can be effected in a non-illustrated mannervia pick-up elements that are guided on spindles or circulating chains.Arresting catches can be disposed on the guides 2.1 of the propellantcharge magazine 2 in a similarly non-illustrated manner.

The receiving elements 3.2 of the propellant charge chain 3.1 areembodied as open trays, and each chain link is respectively provided, inthe region of the two ends of a tray, with a retaining clip that iscomposed of two circular ring segments 3.31 and 3.32 that contact oneanother and at the point of contact are interconnected. The arrangementis such that in each case the one circular ring segment 3.31 extendsaround the tray 3.2 of this chain link at the closed side, and the othercircular ring segment 3.32 extends around the tray of an adjacent chainlink at the open side. Each retaining clip is constructed in such amanner that the openings of the circular ring segments 3.31 and 3.32 aredisposed at an angle of 90° relative to one another, and the retainingclips are disposed and guided in the propellant charge chain 3.1 in sucha way that the receiving element 3.2 that is respectively in the removalposition at the upper end of the propellant charge chain 3.1 has an opentransport region that extends in the axial direction and through which atransfer element 6, which is displaceable in the axial direction and isembodied as a clamp or grab hook, can be guided in such a way that thepropellant charge modules that are contained in this receiving elementare transferred into a portioning unit 5 that is disposed above thepropellant charge magazine 2, where they are joined or assembled. In atleast a portion of the other positions of the receiving elements 3.2,the trays at the closed and at the opened side are completely surroundedby the cooperating circular ring segments 3.31 and 3.32 of two retainingclips.

Sensor elements, for determining the module type and the extent offilling, are disposed at each receiving element of the propellant chargechain 3.1. In the illustrated embodiment, the sensor elements areembodied as flexible strips 3.41 to 3.43 that are guided about theperiphery of the trays 3.2 and have a detection element that extendsthrough an opening of the tray; associated with the outer side of eachflexible strip 3.41 to 3.43 is a proximity sensor or switch 3.51 to 3.53that is respectively disposed across from the flexible strip. In theillustrated embodiment, three flexible strips 3.41 to 3.43 are disposedon each tray and are spaced apart by a prescribed axial distance. Thelength of the trays 3.2 is such that either two axially consecutivestandard modules TM 1 (FIG. 3B), or one somewhat longer basic module TM2 (FIG. 3C), can be accommodated, whereby in this case it can beprecisely determined by the sensor elements which type and how manypropellant charge modules are contained in the tray. Depending upon thetype of filling and the extent of filling, some or all of the flexiblestrips 3.41 to 3.43 are pressed in a direction toward the proximityswitches 3.51 to 3.53.

The propellant charge chain 3.1 is driven by the drive motor 3.11 via asprocket wheel 3.12. The change in direction is effected in the upperregion via a pinion 3.13.

In the region of the removal position, further sensors can be disposedfor the control of the transfer of the propellant charge modules out ofthe receiving element 3.2 of the propellant charge chain 3.1 and intothe portioning unit 5.

The portioning unit 5 has a receiving tray that is disposed axiallyrelative to the receiving element 3.2 of the propellant charge chain 3.1in the removal position, and is divided in the axial direction; thereceiving tray has a large tray portion 5.1 that at the end remote fromthe propellant charge chain 3.1 is provided with an abutment 5.3 for thepropellant charge modules, and a small tray portion 5.2 for the lateralsupport of the propellant charge modules. The large tray portion 5.1 ispivotable out of a receiving position into a delivery position for thetransfer of the joined propellant charge modules TM to a propellantcharge feed tray. The abutment 5.3 that is disposed at the end of theportioning unit 5 ensures that the propellant charge modules that aretransferred by the grab hooks 6 into the portioning unit 5 are joinedthere prior to their delivery.

FIG. 6 shows how the device described above can be disposed on theturret housing of a firing unit.

FIG. 6 shows a firing unit having an armored turret housing 1 in which aheavy weapon W is mounted so as to be pivotable in elevation about atrunnion in a manner not separately illustrated. The turret housing 1can be mounted on a support structure, so as to be rotatable in azimuth,that can, for example, be embodied as an undercarriage of an armoredhowitzer or also of a tank. In a not separately illustrated but knownmanner, the turret housing contains at least one shell magazine fromwhich shells are supplied to the weapon W by means of a known, fullyautomatic shell supply mechanism.

On the outside of the turret housing 1, on an outer wall 1.1, which isdisposed within a resilient region 1.3 of the contour of the turrethousing 1, an auxiliary housing 4 is pivotably attached about a verticalaxis in such a way that, as can be seen from FIG. 6, the auxiliaryhousing 4 can be moved out of a position where it rests sealinglyagainst the turret housing into a position where it is pivotedoutwardly. Disposed within the auxiliary housing 4 is the propellantcharge magazine 2 as well as the automatic propellant charge feedmechanism 3, via which the propellant charges are removed from thepropellant charge magazine 2 and are supplied to the portioning unit 5.For this purpose, the auxiliary housing 4 is provided on that side thatfaces the turret housing 1 with an opening that is not visible in FIG. 1and opposite of which, in the outer wall 1.1 of the turret housing 1, isdisposed a correspondingly configured opening 1.2.

In the delivery position of the large tray portion 5.1 of the portioningunit 5, the joined propellant charge is ejected through the openings inthe auxiliary housing 4 and in the outer wall 1.1 of the turret housing1. Within the turret housing 1, the propellant charge is then receivedby the propellant charge feed tray 8 which, is disposed on thepropellant charge transfer arm 7 that is disposed in the turret housing1 and can be pivoted into the region behind the weapon W, so that it canbe supplied to the weapon by means of a propellant charge rammer that isdisposed thereon.

In the illustrated embodiment, a propellant charge magazine 2 is shownthat has an automatic propellant charge feed mechanism 3 at one endface. Of course, a propellant charge magazine can be disposed at bothsides of the automatic propellant charge mechanism, and the portioningunit can be disposed above one of the two propellant charge magazines.

The specification incorporates by reference the disclosure of Germanpriority document 10 2004 025 742.6 filed May 26, 2004 andPCT/DE2005/000888 filed May 14, 2005.

The present invention is, of course, in no way restricted to thespecific disclosure of the specification and drawings, but alsoencompasses any modifications within the scope of the appended claims.

1. A device for feeding propellant charges to a heavy weapon, comprising: at least one propellant charge magazine embodied as a fixed magazine and having guides, wherein propellant charge modules are adapted to be disposed in said guides such that their longitudinal axes extend horizontally, wherein a prescribed number of propellant charge modules are adapted to be disposed axially successively in each of said guides, and wherein a prescribed number of said guides are disposed parallel to one another and in horizontal planes above one another; a propellant charge feed mechanism adapted to remove propellant charges from said at least one propellant charge magazine and transfer them to a propellant charge transfer arm that is provided with a propellant charge feed tray that is adapted to be pivoted into a region behind the weapon, wherein said propellant charge feed mechanism includes an automatic propellant charge feed mechanism that is disposed adjacent to said at least one propellant charge magazine and has a propellant charge chain that is driven in a circulating manner in a vertical plane, wherein said propellant charge chain is provided with receiving elements adapted to receive at least one propellant charge module and with means for transferring said propellant charge modules from said guides of said at least one propellant charge magazine into said receiving elements of said propellant charge chain, wherein said receiving elements of said propellant charge chain are embodied as open trays, wherein said propellant charge chain is composed of chain links, each of which, in the region of an end of a tray, is provided with a retaining clip composed of two circular ring segments that contact one another and are interconnected at the point of contact, and wherein one of said circular ring segments extends around the tray of this chain link at a closed side while the other of said circular ring segments extends about a tray of an adjacent chain link on an open side; a portioning unit disposed at a removal position at an upper end of said propellant charge chain and axially relative to a respectively uppermost one of said receiving elements, wherein said portioning unit is provided with means for transferring and joining a prescribed number of said propellant charge modules; and means for transferring joined propellant charge modules from said portioning unit (5) to said propellant charge feed tray.
 2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said guides in said at least one propellant charge magazine are embodied as receiving tubes that for a supply of propellant charge modules are adapted to be supplied with positive air pressure and for a withdrawal of propellant charge modules are adapted to be supplied with negative air pressure.
 3. A device according to claim 1, wherein said guides in said at least one propellant charge magazine are embodied as open receiving trays or receiving ralls.
 4. A device according to claim 1, wherein arresting catches are disposed on said guides of said at least one propellant charge magazine.
 5. A device according to claim 1, wherein each of said retaining clips is constructed in such a way that the openings of the circular ring segments are disposed at an angle of 90° relative to one another, wherein said retaining clips are disposed and guided in said propellant charge chain in such a way that a receiving element located in the removal position has an open transport region, extending in the axial direction, for a transfer element, and wherein in at least some of the other positions, closed and open sides of the trays are completely surrounded by the circular ring segments of two retaining clips, which cooperate with one another.
 6. A device according to claim 1, wherein sensor elements are provided on each receiving element of said propellant charge chain for determining the type of said propellant charge modules and an extent to which said at least one propellant charge magazine is filled.
 7. A device according to claim 6, wherein said sensor elements are embodied as flexible strips that are guided about the periphery of said receiving elements and have a detection element that extends through an opening of said receiving element, and wherein a proximity sensor or switch is disposed across from an outer side of each of said flexible strips.
 8. A device according to claim 7, wherein three of said flexible stips are disposed on each of said receiving elements and are spaced axially apart.
 9. A device according to claim 1, wherein sensors are fixedly disposed in a region of the removal position for a control of a transfer of said propellant charge modules out of said receiving element of said propellant charge chain and into said portioning unit.
 10. A device according to claim 1, wherein said means of said portioning unit for transferring and joining propellant charge modules from said receiving element of said propellant charge chain into said portioning unit is provided with at least one grab hook, as a transfer element, that is movable parallel to the axial direction of said receiving element and of said portioning unit
 11. A device according to claim 1, wherein said portioning unit (5) includes a receiving tray that in the removal position is disposed axially relative to the receiving element of the propellant charge chain, wherein said receiving tray is divided in the axial direction, comprising a large tray portion, which is provided with an abutment for said propellant charge modules on an end remote from said propellant charge chain, and a small tray portion for a lateral support of said propellant charge modules, and wherein said large tray portion (5.1) is pivotable out of a receiving position into a delivery position for transfer of joined propellant charge modules to said propellant charge feed tray.
 12. A devce according to claim 11, wherein said at least one propelant charge magazine, said automatic propellant charge feed mechanism and said portioning unit are adapted to be disposed within an auxiliary housing that is removably or pivotably disposed on an outer wall of an armored turret housing of a firing unit, wherein respectively aligned openings for propellant charges that are to be transferred out of said auxiliary housing and into said turret housing are disposed in said outer wail of said turret housing and in an outer wall of said auxiliary housing that is disposed across from said outer wall of said turret housing, and wherein said propellant charge transfer arm that is provided with said propellart charge feed tray is disposed within said turret housing.
 13. A device according to claim 12, wheren in the delivery position of said large tray portion the joined propellant charge modules are adapted to be ejected through the openings of said auxiliary housing and of said outer wall of said turret housing. 